I have used 6 of these screenhouses in the past 2 years for some agricultural field experiments.This was not normal use and they received a lot of abuse, but mostly the tents stood up to the challenge.I put them up in mid-June and they were up through late August.They lasted those few months, even in some very severe winds.Instead of using the wimpy metal stakes included with the package, I pounded rebars into the ground (at the angle of the hollow support poles) and pushed the poles onto the rebars.This really stabilized the tents.
The other reviewer here mentioned that the support poles are made of a soft steel and don't hold up very well.This is very true.The poles are in pieces and fit together to form 4 long support pieces that clip into an "x" at the top of the tent.However, many of the pieces crimped and bent at the bend in the upper corners of the tent.This made some of the tents kind of wonky-looking and unstable.It also weakened the fabric at these points, since the tab/clip part was stressed due to the instability of the supports.The bent pieces also made it nearly impossible to disconnect the support pieces.This was not a problem for me since I left the tents up permanently, but would be aggravating for a family or individuals trying to put up/take down the screenhouse several times.
The picture and description is not entirely clear about the bottom of the screenhouse.Please note that there is no "bottom" fabric inside; it even appears this way on the photo on the package.Instead, there are blue tarp-type flaps attached to the bottom of each side.This was great for me, since I was in a cornfield and could pile dirt on the flaps to prevent insects and rodents from getting in.If you will have this up for any length of time, you may want to put some heavy objects on the flaps.
The setup is very easy once you get the hang of it.I strongly recommend setting the screenhouse up with 2 adults, particularly if it's windy.The support pole clips are sometimes difficult to snap into the "x" on the tent top, but eventually they go in.Even though the sides are mesh, they really do keep the bugs out (I was doing research on bugs, so I know!) and the mesh never ripped even with several people going in/out daily.The zippers never failed to work, even when they were dirty.
Each tent also comes in a sturdy blue fabric tote.The stakes (metal and plastic) come in bags to keep them together.I didn't have too much difficulty stuffing everything back in the tote.
I am giving this four stars for 2 reasons:
1) The screenhouses did last a long time, even in harsh weather with a lot of dust and abuse.
2) The customer service people at Coleman were very nice and shipped me replacement support poles free of charge when they bent.
If you have problems with the supports, I recommend calling the company directly (there is a slip inside the package with their number and warranty info) to ask about replacements.I had no problem with their customer service.
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Coleman Insta-Clip 4 Sided Screen HouseProduct Description: Shield your fam from mosquitoes and no-good UV rays with the Coleman Insta-Clip 4-Sided Screen House. Super easy to set up, this mesh shelter turns bug-infested backyards and campgrounds into a nice hang-out spot while offering 50+ UPF protection. Two large doors let your fellow campers get in and out easily. The Screen House sets up with four shock-corded poles, and included stakes and guylines stabilize and secure the shelter. Coleman added a hanging pocket organizer to keep games close at hand and pacifiers off the ground.
Product Features
Material: Polyester taffeta with 450mm PU coating
Dimensions: [l x w x h] 13 x 11 x 7.5ft (396 x 335 x 229cm)
Packed Size:
Tie Points: 4
Poles Included: Yes
Weight:
Recommended Use: Car camping, outdoor gatherings
Manufacturer Warranty:
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This canopy is not worth 6.99 let alone 69.99 plus shipping.What a rip off! My daughter and I used it this week end for our first craft fair and this is what we encountered when we opened the box.The ropes were not long enough to anchor the canopy.The sides did not fit properly.The zippered front and back was ripped along the seam of the zipper. The zipper on the carrying case popped apart. The one side of the canopy was bowed in and definitely not sturdy.The so-called stakes were the diameter of an oversized paperclip.Do NOT waste your money.We were extremely disappointed and very embarrased by our canopy.Thank God it didn't rain or have strong winds.Atleast someone was on our side.I would not suggest this canopy to anyone.Ours is going to the dump and chalked up as a very bad experience and big waste of money.
